By Alethia Kasben
Managing Editor
Posted: April 2, 2020 2:22 PM
Governor Gretchen Whitmer last night sat down with Trevor Noah – sort of, it was a Skype interview – for his version of The Daily Show during the new coronavirus era.
Mr. Noah, the late-night comedy, quasi-news show host – which is being called "The Daily Social Distancing Show" right now – has also changed up his job as the program that normally includes a live audience is done without one, and the reaction an audience normally brings.
Ms. Whitmer, donning a "woman from Michigan shirt," to reflect the comments President Donald Trump made about her in telling Vice President Mike Pence not to call her during the new coronavirus crisis, reiterated many of her previous statements during the interview.
The governor wants Michigan residents to stay home as the best way to slow the spread. She also said every order limiting normal life has weighed heavily on her. And she doesn't have time for politics.
Ms. Whitmer said during the show Detroit's presence as an international destination and its large airport could have contributed to Michigan becoming a hot spot. She also said poverty, higher rates of diabetes, among other things, are preexisting conditions that exacerbate the illness.
As she has previously, Ms. Whitmer also requested a national strategy to help states get the personal protection equipment they need.
"A national strategy with a national buying power that actually ensured everyone had equitable access to what we need when we need it would be the wisest thing to do," she said.
Ms. Whitmer also said no one has time for politics right now.
"I don't have any time to think about fighting anything other than COVID-19 and that is precisely why I say let's not fight one another, we are not the enemy, the virus is," she said.
On if she is worried the state full of blue-collar workers will eventually grow impatient with a stay-at-home order, Ms. Whitmer said of course she is concerned. Each order she has made weighs heavily on her as she knows bars have had to lay off workers and businesses may struggle to eventually reopen, she said.
"So, making sure we are able to have that kind of support that people need is really important for the health of the individuals, health of communities and health of the economy in the long run," she said. "And that is why everyone has to do their part."